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Banff National Park, Alberta
August 1, 2004
Distance: 8.0 km (5.0 mi)
Cumulative Elevation Gain: 1120 m (3675 ft)
Third time's a charm. After two attempts trying to ascend Observation Peak in the fall when snow extended to the lower slopes, and we were caught in a snow storm, Dinah and I took no chances and bagged the peak easily in the summer.
On this trip, we didn't walk to the bend in the road as Kane's suggest, but instead made the mistake of ascending the first gully we saw. But it wasn't really a mistake as we encountered no difficulties, and it's a more direct route to the false summit (we returned the same way). From the false summit, it's a long hike to the true summit. We were hoping for great views at the top, but we couldn't see much because of the smoke caused by forest fires wafting in from B.C.
MOVIE
Approaching our ascent gully
Looking back after starting up
Looking west at Caldron Peak above Peyto Lake
Heading to the false summit
Much of the ascent was steep
Some delightful scenery in the gully
We passed by a cleft in the rocks
Looking back down the gully
Coming up to the false summit
On the false summit
View from the col: true summit is left
Looking back at the false summit
Walking to the summit
Arriving at the summit
Dinah on the summit
Trying to see through the haze
Checking out the cornice on the way back
Coming back down the gully
82 N/9 Hector Lake
